My old Rosie has been retired/semi-retired for a few years now....i have had her 6 years, shes about 24 years old now, but doing VERY well for her age. The first year i used to hack her solo, albeit hard work (think DEAD to the leg on the way out and GALLOP home on way back)....then for years only went in company and would ONLY follow....then 'retired' pretty much for the last year. Then in the last 4 years if i ever tried to go solo we would have EXTREME napping...think spinning, bucking, reversing...pretty much it all!!
Anyway, shes getting bored and the vet suggested keeping her ticking over with gentle exercise could help.....sooooo with the fact that she would only be able to do short hacks in walk and trot only i figured this wont be able to be done in company as no-one would want to do that!
so for about 6 weeks i led her out in-hand 2-3 times a week either on my own or with another pony (but Rosie was MADE to always LEAD)....then last week my friend rode rosie off the yard around the little 20 min loop with me walking, but i walked BEHIND....no real napping from Rosie to be honest, but where she thought about it i used my rope and 'shooed' her on...worked perfect!
and then since those two little hacks with me following on the ground we have been for 3 SOLO hacks!!! two the same loop we always walk, and then today the opposite way (which is new to her) and we had NO NAPPING AT ALL!!! she does walk slow but i barely have to use my legs really compared to years ago!
cant you tell i am OVER the moon with this! i want to be doing this with her twice a week for as long as i can, its so nice to get to spend time together again
oh and ear shot!! (plus bum shot to prove we were solo! lol)
Anyway, shes getting bored and the vet suggested keeping her ticking over with gentle exercise could help.....sooooo with the fact that she would only be able to do short hacks in walk and trot only i figured this wont be able to be done in company as no-one would want to do that!
so for about 6 weeks i led her out in-hand 2-3 times a week either on my own or with another pony (but Rosie was MADE to always LEAD)....then last week my friend rode rosie off the yard around the little 20 min loop with me walking, but i walked BEHIND....no real napping from Rosie to be honest, but where she thought about it i used my rope and 'shooed' her on...worked perfect!
and then since those two little hacks with me following on the ground we have been for 3 SOLO hacks!!! two the same loop we always walk, and then today the opposite way (which is new to her) and we had NO NAPPING AT ALL!!! she does walk slow but i barely have to use my legs really compared to years ago!
cant you tell i am OVER the moon with this! i want to be doing this with her twice a week for as long as i can, its so nice to get to spend time together again
oh and ear shot!! (plus bum shot to prove we were solo! lol)